Monthly Archives: November 2019

US: Poll suggests heavy 2020 defeat for Trump

4, November 2019

US: Poll suggests heavy 2020 defeat for Trump 0

US President Donald Trump is facing a big defeat at the ballot box in 2020 amid an ongoing impeachment probe by Democrats, according to the latest polling.

Trump is projected to lose by 10 points to Democratic frontrunner Joe Biden, one new survey shows, which also predicts Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders both beat him comfortably.

The survey conducted by Investor’s Business Daily/TIPP shows that just less than 45 percent of voters support Trump in comparison with his rivals, Biden, Warren and Sanders, who get 53%, 52% and 51% respectively.

Political Polls@Politics_Polls

2020 National GE:
Biden 53% (+10)
Trump 43%
.
Warren 52% (+8)
Trump 44%
.
Sanders 51% (+7)
Trump 44%

IBD/TIPP 10/24-31https://www.investors.com/news/joe-biden-leads-elizabeth-warren-both-beat-trump-2020-election-ibd-tipp/

This comes as Trump is under mounting pressure after Democrats launched an impeachment inquiry in September after a whistleblower alleged the Republican president pressured Ukraine to investigate his Biden.

That request by Trump, and accusations he conditioned nearly $400 million in military aid to Ukraine on the political favor, form the basis of the impeachment inquiry that now threatens his presidency.

PressTV-Dems lay out case for Trump impeachment probe

House Democrats say Trump has abused his office for personal gain and jeopardized national security by asking Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskiy to investigate Biden and his son, Hunter, who had served as a director for Ukrainian energy company Burisma.

Meanwhile, two impeachment polls by Fox News and NBC/Wall Street Journal showed Sunday that 49 percent support Trump’s impeachment and his removal from office.

A total of 46 percent of the respondents expressed opposition to Trump’s impeachment and removal from the Oval Office.

The poll found that opponents to Trump’s impeachment have shrunk by 3 percent according to another poll from earlier this month, which said 49 percent wanted him to stay in office.

Asked whether they approved of the impeachment effort, 53 said they supported the bid while 44 percent disapproved.

Source: Presstv

Yaounde responds to US scrapping of trade benefits over rights abuses

4, November 2019

Yaounde responds to US scrapping of trade benefits over rights abuses 0

The United States has advised Cameroon to respect human rights in order to be reinstated as a beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), even as authorities in Yaounde insist on their innocence.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday terminated the Central African nation’s preferential trade benefits from Jan. 1, citing what he called “persistent gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.”

Trump’s decision

In a letter to the U.S. Congress, Trump said Cameroon had failed to address U.S. concerns regarding extrajudicial killings, torture and other persistent human rights violations being committed by Cameroonian security forces.

“I am taking this step because I have determined that the Government of Cameroon currently engages in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, contravening the eligibility requirements of section 104 of the (African Growth and Opportunity Act),” Trump wrote in the letter.

Deputy U.S. Trade Representative C.J. Mahoney said the U.S. government remained deeply concerned about human rights violations committed by the Cameroonian government against its own citizens.

“This action underscores the Administration’s commitment to upholding the human rights criteria as required in the AGOA legislation,” he said in a separate statement.

Cameroon govt reacts

Cameroon’s minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji told journalists on Friday that the United States is targeting the wrong country, considering the professional record and conduct of the security forces.

“Our defence and security forces are professional. So, I believe that, if we were to condemn, we should rather condemn the secessionists who are decapitating the populations in the North-Western and South-Western Regions,” the minister said.

Several human rights groups and non-governmental organisations have on several occasions accused government security forces of gross human rights violations including the killing of civilians in the English-speaking regions.

Sixty-five civil society organizations this week urged the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to address serious and systematic human rights violations in Cameroon.

In a joint appeal, they said violence in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions has led to 3,000 deaths over the past three years, forcing half a million people to flee their homes, and leaving over 700,000 children out of school.

What next?

Mahoney urged the government of Cameroon to work with the United States and the international community to strengthen protection of human rights under the law and to publicly hold to account those who engage in human rights violations.

In order to qualify for preferential benefits under the AGOA legislation, partner countries must meet certain eligibility requirements, including not engaging in gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.

They must also demonstrate continual progress toward establishing the rule of law, political pluralism, establishing internationally recognized worker rights, and the elimination of barriers to U.S. trade and investment.

Cameroon President Paul Biya, who has governed for nearly four decades, is seeking to calm unrest stoked by a disputed presidential election last year and the separatist insurrection.

A national dialogue organised to resolve the Anglophone crisis last month, is yet to yield tangible results, despite recommendations that included creating a ‘special status’ for the North West and South West regions.

Source: Reuters

Madrid-Catalan Crisis: We don’t like the King of Spain coming here, says protester in Barcelona

4, November 2019

Madrid-Catalan Crisis: We don’t like the King of Spain coming here, says protester in Barcelona 0

Hundreds of Catalan separatist supporters staged a pot-banging protest in Barcelona on Sunday (October 3) against the presence of Spanish royal family which is due to attend the Princess of Girona Awards ceremony on Monday (October 4).

Demonstrators gathered peacefully at Diagonal avenue, outside the venue where Spain’s King Felipe and his family will attend the event, chanting, banging pots and pans and showing signs against the Spanish monarchy.

“We are here in this demonstration because we don’t like the king of Spain coming here like it was one of the places of his kingdom,” said Jordi, a protester and filmmaker who attended the protest.

Catalan police prepared an special security plan and shielded the venue entrances.

Barcelona has witnessed a series of pro-secession protests since October 14 when Spain’s Supreme Court sentenced nine politicians and activists to up to 13 years in jail for their role in a failed independence bid in 2017, prompting widespread anger in the region and sending shockwaves through Spain’s political landscape as the country heads for a general election on November 10.

(Source: Reuters)

9 crew members of a vessel owned by Norway abducted by pirates off Benin

4, November 2019

9 crew members of a vessel owned by Norway abducted by pirates off Benin 0

A vessel owned by Norwegian shipping firm J.J. Ugland was boarded by pirates while at anchor off the coast of Benin on Saturday, and nine crew members were kidnapped, the company said on Sunday.

The remaining crew of the Norwegian-flagged MV Bonita notified local authorities, and the vessel docked at the port city of Cotonou later on Saturday, the company said in a statement. The dry bulker Bonita carried a cargo of gypsum, a mineral commonly used as fertiliser, which was destined for Benin, Ugland said.

While piracy has decreased worldwide, West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea is a high-risk area for abductions and armed robbery, the International Maritime Bureau, a unit of the International Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement last month.

Shippers have reported several abductions in the region in recent months, including eight crew members taken from a German-owned vessel off Cameroon in August, and 10 Turkish sailors off the coast of Nigeria in July.

Citing safety reasons, the Norwegian ship owner did not reveal the crew’s nationalities or how many had avoided capture.

“The Ugland Emergency Response Team are handling this situation as per contingency plans, and they are in contact with relevant authorities. … The families of the crew members have been contacted and will be kept informed by Ugland,” the company said in the statement.

(Source: Reuters)

2019 SOBA UK Residential Convention in Colchester was a huge success

4, November 2019

2019 SOBA UK Residential Convention in Colchester was a huge success 0

From November 1 to November 3rd, more than 300 guests gathered in Colchester with the Sasse Old Boys Association for the 2019 SOBA UK Residential Convention. The SOBA UK show is the biggest and oldest Anglophone Cameroon academic exposition in Europe, and this year the Five Lakes Resort was packed solid as a sea of people enjoyed the SOBA UK annual come together for three days.

 According to a study done by the Cameroon Concord News Group, a cross section of the non-SOBA UK participants that attended the SOBA UK 2019 Residential Convention this year were from main land Europe, Russia, Ireland and the United States of America.

Egbe Franklin the new SOBA UK leader observed, “There’s no better way to end the year in Europe than at the annual SOBA UK Residential Convention. It’s the most cost-effective way for families and friends of SOBA UK to communion in truth and in brotherhood.”

The renowned DJ Takeaway was a new exhibitor at the SOBA UK 2019 Residential Convention this year. “It’s been a good experience for me,” he said. The SOBA UK AGM gave attendees a prime opportunity to keep abreast of the latest policies mapped out by the new SOBA UK team to move the association forward.

SOBA UK 2019 Residential Convention attendees browsed the rooms and the golf course of the Five Lakes Resort finding new ideas and discussed some of the difficulties confronting the association. Another unique feature of the 2019 SOBA UK Show was the Synergy Live Band, which put up a wonderful display honoring SOBA UK members who have worked for 10 or more years to make SOBA UK great.  

President Emeritus, Akoh Arrey pointed out that the SOBA UK Residential Convention was important enough to travel hundreds, or thousands, of miles to attend. “The gala night hall was filled to overflowing,” observed Dr Enow Humphrey.”

 Next year, the SOBA UK show promises to be an even bigger success. Many are hoping that the convention center will again be one of the best in the United Kingdom, and there are plenty of luxury hotels with some of the best dining available.

It is vital to include in this report that the executive chairman and editor-in-chief of the Cameroon Concord News Group, the Right Honorable Soter Tarh Agbaw-Ebai was a guest of honour at the convention. SOBA UK has already begun planning to make next year’s residential convention better than ever.

By Staff Lady Betty Abeng in Colchester

Vietnam wants to boost multi-faceted partnership with French Cameroun

4, November 2019

Vietnam wants to boost multi-faceted partnership with French Cameroun 0

Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ visited La Republique Du Cameroun on Friday and Saturday as part of his working trip to Africa.During the visit, Huệ had talks with Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute, visited the Senate and the National Assembly of the Parliament of Cameroon, and had working sessions with Vice President of the Senate Lamido Abubakary Abdulaye and Vice President of the National Assembly Etong Nzok Hilarion.

At the talks with PM Ngute, the Vietnamese Deputy PM affirmed Việt Nam’s policy on promoting multi-faceted co-operation, particularly in economics and trade, with African countries, including Cameroon.

Huệ said to facilitate stronger bilateral collaboration, the two countries should intensify negotiations for bilateral agreements, creating a legal framework for trade as well as co-operation in other fields.

The Cameroon PM admired Việt Nam’s high economic growth of 6-7 per cent a year and said Cameroon wanted to learn from Việt Nam’s development model.

He said Cameroon hoped to set up co-operative ties with Việt Nam, with a focus on sectors where Cameroon has great potential and Việt Nam is strong at, such as agriculture and processing of cashew nuts, wood and coffee. He added that his country wished to boost bilateral ties in telecommunications, which have already started with the operation of Nextel, a joint venture between Việt Nam’s Viettel group and Bestcam, a Cameroon partner.

Discussing support for Vietnamese businesses operating in Cameroon including Nextel, Huệ appreciated the work of the Cameroon government and PM Ngute to facilitate their operation.

At working sessions with Vice President of the Senate Lamido Abubakary Abdulaye and Vice President of the National Assembly Etong Nzok Hilarion, Huệ highlighted the role of the two countries’ parliaments in making laws to facilitate the negotiations and signing of bilateral agreements.

He also noted the need to increase exchange of delegations between the two countries’ governments, sectors, trade associations and people, as well as promote co-operation in culture, education, sports and people-to-people exchange.
Source: vietnamnews.vn

Yaounde: Kamto Supporters Defy Protest Ban

3, November 2019

Yaounde: Kamto Supporters Defy Protest Ban 0

Combat-ready troops were deployed in Cameroon’s capital Saturday as supporters of opposition party leader Maurice Kamto defied a ban on protests against the outcome of the 2018 presidential election. 

Kamto and his backers contend he won the Oct. 7 election and that his victory was stolen by long-serving President Paul Biya.  Kamto was to participate in the protests for the first time since Biya ordered his release from prison, but he reportedly was being held at his house under guard by government police.  
 
Hundreds of supporters of Kamto’s Cameroon Renaissance Movement Party (CRM) demanded that the government withdraw its anti-riot police from the esplanade of the Ahmadou Ahijo Stadium in Yaounde so they could listen to the message that Kamto had for them. 
 
Among the protesters was Etienne Tankeu, 39, a businessman who was arrested with Kamto on Feb. 28 in Douala and detained in Yaounde with Kamto until Biya ordered their release. 
 
Tankeu said he did not understand why each time the CRM has wanted to organize peaceful protests, the government has threatened them with charges of insurrection, revolt and hostilities against the state. 

Court proceedings halted
 
Kamto and hundreds of his supporters were freed Oct. 5. That’s when Biya ordered an end to court proceedings against CRM members following calls from delegates to the national dialogue he held to address the country’s crises. 
 
The Saturday protest in Yaounde was to be the first public meeting between Kamto and his supporters since he was released from custody. 
 
Christopher Ndong, CRM secretary-general, told VOA in a telephone interview that he and some party officials, including Kamto, were prohibited by the police from leaving a home where they met ahead of the protests. He said that despite a heavy police presence, they were still committed to meeting their supporters, who have been eager to hear from their leader. 
 
“We cannot let our fundamental rights be trampled upon,” he said. “We are not afraid, because what we are doing is within the law and it is our right. So you see, this is a government that is confused. They are in fact doing everything with impunity. We cannot be afraid, because we are working and acting upon our rights.” 
 
Similar protests in the southern towns of Sangmelima and Ebolowa were banned by the government. Kamto’s supporters defied the ban in Sangmelima, Biya’s hometown, and a confrontation Friday between CRM followers and those of Biya’s CPDM party left at least six people injured. 

Advice to Kamto: Stand down

Rene Emmanuel Sadi, Cameroon’s minister of communications, said Kamto was not relenting from wanting to destabilize Cameroon. He said Biya won the election in a landslide and that Kamto should accept the result or face the consequences as mandated by Cameroon laws. 
 
“We believe that Mr. Kamto and some warmongers among his supporters have failed to take full measure and to grasp the profound meaning of the presidential clemency welcomed by the entire national and international community,” Sadi said. 

The election results showed Biya winning with 71 percent of the vote. His strongest challenger, Kamto, was a distant second with 14 percent. 
 
If arrested again, Kamto could be charged with sedition, insurrection and inciting violence. Those are the same charges leveled against him when he defied a government ban on protest marches and was arrested in Douala.

Source: VOA 

Algeria announces presidential election candidates despite protesters’ opposition

3, November 2019

Algeria announces presidential election candidates despite protesters’ opposition 0

Five candidates will run in Algeria’s presidential election next month, including two former prime ministers, the head of the election authority said on Saturday, amid mass protests rejecting the vote.

The authorities have repeatedly said the Dec. 12 vote would be the only way to get out of a crisis Algeria been facing since the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April under pressure from protesters.

Candidates for the Dec. 12 election include former prime ministers Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Ali Benflis, former culture minister Azzedddine Mihoubi, former tourism minister Abdelkader Bengrine, and Abdelaziz Belaid, head of the El Mostakbal Movement party.

They were announced by Mohamed Chorfi, head of the election authority.

Twenty-three candidates had applied to the election authority, but most failed to meet requirements which include collecting signatures from 25 of the country’s 48 provinces. Those who were rejected will be allowed to file appeals.

Tens of thousands of protesters have been staging weekly demonstrations to reject the election, saying it will not be fair as some of former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s allies are still in power.

Bouteflika ended his 20-year-rule in April after mass protests broke out on Feb. 22 demanding the removal of the ruling elite and the prosecution of people involved in corruption.

The army is now the main player in Algeria’s politics, and its chief of staff Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaed Salah has vowed transparency and fairness for the Dec. 12 vote.

The authorities also met some protesters’ demands by detaining several former officials including two ex-prime ministers and several prominent businessmen over corruption charges.

Protesters now also demand the departure of the remaining symbols of the old guard including interim president Abdelkader Bensalah and Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui.

Algeria had canceled a presidential vote previously planned for July 4, citing a lack of candidates.

“There will be full transparency in the handling of the presidential election,” Chorfi said.

(REUTERS)

UK: Thousands of Scots rally for independence

3, November 2019

UK: Thousands of Scots rally for independence 0

Thousands rallied in Glasgow on Saturday calling for Scotland to become an independent country, with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon telling the crowds that their goal was “within touching distance”.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) leader was the headline speaker at the event in George Square, the first time she has addressed an independence rally since the 2014 referendum campaign, with a crucial general election looming next month.

“Make no mistake, the general election we face now on December 12 is the most important election for Scotland in our lifetimes,” she told the crowds.

“The future of our country is on the line.

“We must come out in our numbers and vote in this election,” she added, insisting that the “prize” of independence was “within touching distance.”

“We must seize that prize,” she urged.

Sturgeon is expected, before Christmas, to formally ask Johnson for a Section 30 order, which would give Scotland’s devolved government permission to stage a referendum.

Supporters waved the St Andrews cross emblazoned with the word “Yes” and Catalan flags in solidarity with the fellow independence campaign.

Others wore kilts and played bagpipes, including one musician who had flames leaping from his instrument.Scotland voted against independence in a 2014 referendum by 55 percent.

But nationalists argue that the 2016 British referendum in favour of Brexit means another independence referendum is necessary — because Scotland voted by 62 percent to stay in the European Union.

Nationalists also argue that some people voted against independence thinking it would guarantee their place inside the EU.

Sturgeon promised supporters on Saturday to “lead you to an independence reference next year”.

“It’s time for Scotland to choose our own future, time for Scotland to be an independent country,” she added.

A small number of pro-Union protesters carrying Union Jack flags staged a counter-demonstration.

(AFP)

UK: Labour leader says Trump benefits from a no-deal Brexit

3, November 2019

UK: Labour leader says Trump benefits from a no-deal Brexit 0

UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has accused US President Donald Trump of meddling in UK politics “to get his friend” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson elected.

Corbyn made the remarks on Saturday in Swindon, a town in southwest England, during his campaign for a general election to be held on December 12.

“Donald Trump is trying to interfere in Britain’s election to get his friend Boris Johnson elected,” Corbyn said on Twitter.

Corbyn added if Trump “isn’t pleased at the prospect of a Labour government being elected in Britain”, then he’s “entitled to his choice,” adding that he’s willing to speak with Trump in order to discuss his stance on climate change policies.

Corbyn’s comments came after Trump told Nigel Farage’s radio show that it would be “so bad” if Corbyn was elected prime minister.

During their conversation, the US leader said, “Corbyn would be so bad for your country. He’d be so bad, he’d take you in such a bad way. He’d take you into such bad places”.

PressTV-UK election campaign begins

Corbyn has promised to leave the European Union with a customs union, trade agreement and dynamic protection if he wins the election.

He further promised to hold a referendum at the end of a three-month period to determine whether Britons want to leave the bloc or not.

Britain was scheduled to leave the EU on October 31. However, the country’s parliamentarians did not approve Johnson’s deal with the bloc, prompting the EU to extend the Brexit deadline.

Johnson then called for a general election.

PressTV-Brexit Party ultimatum an opening for Corbyn

Recent surveys have speculated that after the general election, no single party will hold a majority of seats in parliament.

The Conservatives are projected to fill 35% of seats in parliament after the general election, while the Brexit Party is projected to win 13% of seats, according to a recent YouGov survey.

If the Brexit Party splits the Leave vote, Corbyn could end up as the new prime minister. Mr. Corbyn is hoping to curry support from the Scottish National Party and Liberal Democrats, who may be able to act as a “kingmaker” when the final results come in.

Source: Presstv

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